It may have only landed on our screens less than a month ago, but already there's been news on the future of The Split Up – and fans can get excited.
After an acclaimed first run and a fittingly gripping finale, The Split's Manchester-based spin-off has officially been renewed by the BBC for a second season.
At just six episodes long, the legal drama quickly gripped audiences with its unique blend of soapy drama, exploration of the legal field and, of course, plenty of interpersonal family issues.
Not only that but the South Asian-led drama has been praised for its authentic representation – a deliberate investment into a "new audience" as The Split's Abi Morgan put it previously in an exclusive chat with Radio Times.
So, it's safe to say that fans were anticipating a renewal but, as ever, you can't quite predict these things. Born from the world of The Split, Ursula Rani Sarma took over the helm of the new spin-off, which centres on the Kishan family.
The new series will consist of six episodes and will again be produced by SISTER Pictures in association with Morgan's Little Chick, promising "more loves, losses, secrets and lies for the Kishans to unravel and contend with in the legal heart of Manchester", as per the BBC's description.
On the renewal announcement, Sarma said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the response to The Split Up. It means so much to see audiences embrace a family whose story reflects the diversity of our world.
"I'm thrilled to be bringing the Kishan family back for a second series, and my heartfelt thanks go to the BBC, Abi Morgan, Jane Featherstone and my incredible team, as well as everyone who tuned in and supported us. We can't wait to show you what happens next!"
The renewal realises a hope Sarma had previously shared with Radio Times, telling us that her dream was to let the Kishans breathe across at least three seasons and that she already had ideas for where their stories could go next while writing the first run.
She'd shared at the time: "It feels like a really wonderful length to really explore a proper journey in these characters' lives. So ideally, my dream would be that we would have a minimum of three and then see where the family takes us after that. Who knows?"
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On the announcement of season 2, Morgan said: "I am delighted that The Split Up has found its audience and home at the BBC and look forward to what is next for Kishan Law under Ursula Rani Sarma and her brilliant creative team."
Executive producer Jane Featherstone also shared in a statement: "Family and relationships are endlessly fascinating, and it's been wonderful to see audiences fall for the Kishans in all their complexity.
"For me, and my fellow EP, Bryony Arnold, working with Abi Morgan and Ursula Rani Sarma has been such a joy, and our remarkable cast have brought these characters to life with real humour and heart. We're incredibly proud of the whole team and thrilled to be working with the BBC on a second series, there's plenty of unfinished business at Kishan Law."
View Green Video on the source websiteThe first run centred on Aria Kishan, played by Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy), a rising lawyer poised to take over the family firm from her father Dhruv, played by Sanjeev Bhaskar (Unforgotten).
The ensemble also featured Aysha Kala (Virdee), Arian Nik (Film Club), Danny Ashok (Dinosaur), Dimitri Leonidas (Those About To Die), Mawaan Rizwan (Juice), Sindhu Vee (Matilda the Musical), Shalini Peiris (The White Lotus) and Tom Forbes (Queenie), with guest turns from Lenny Henry (Three Little Birds), Jane Horrocks (Bloods) and Jameela Jamil (The Good Place).
Things were left on quite the exciting mixed bag of cliffhangers as each of the Kishans were faced with their own problems, with some more dramatic than others. There was not only the matter of Aria's own marriage to Neal, but Neal seemed to cotton on to her dynamic with Luke – yet with Luke stating he's set to move to London, is that really the last we'll see of him?
On top of Dhruv's health concerns, there was also the small matter of forged identity that fans were rocked with in the finale – a mighty fine jumping-on point for season 2, we say!
The Split Up is available to stream on BBC iPlayer, with series 2 coming soon to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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